Committee Revises Noise Ordinance Definitions, Defers Legal Questions
Rules and Ordinances Committee advanced a proposed noise ordinance by adopting definitions for construction, emergency work, and tonal noise while deferring enforcement questions.
City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances · Meeting of April 21, 2026
WATERTOWN — Rules and Ordinances Committee advanced a proposed noise ordinance by adopting definitions for construction, emergency work, and tonal noise while deferring enforcement questions. Committee Chair Nicole Gardner, Vice Chair Lisa J. Feltner, and Secretary John G.
Gannon agreed on language for key terms but asked legal counsel to review whether city staff can enforce the ordinance on private property without liability risk. The Committee also requested Public Health Director Abbey Myers discuss whether to restrict tonal noise at three decibels above ambient and whether to address vibrations and barking dogs in the ordinance or through separate ordinances. The Committee voted unanimously to continue the meeting for further work on the revision.
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Source: the City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances meeting of April 21, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Checked against the official minutes.
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